Colorado Wildfires

Royal Gorge fire to be fully contained Sunday evening

The Royal Gorge fire burns structures near both ends of the Royal Gorge Bridge on Tuesday. As of Wednesday evening, the fire had burned about 3,100 acres and 20 structures in Fremont County. (John Wark, Special to The Denver Post)

The Royal Gorge fire near Cañon City neared full containment Sunday, but authorities have not yet determined who or what caused the fire that damaged a major tourism draw in its path.

Containment was expected Sunday evening for the fire that burned at least 3,218 acres. . The world's second-highest suspension bridge, made of wire and wood, is slightly damaged but intact.

Located a mile from Cañon City, the fire started on June 11, forcing the evacuation of about 1,200 park guests and 200 employees, along with about 60 people at the Pueblo Community College Fremont Campus and about 1,000 inmates and staff from the medium-security Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility.

Evacuations were lifted on Friday.

On Sunday, 333 firefighters, two helicopters and 15 engines were still in field, working on pockets of unburned trees and brush within the perimeter. Those areas posed no threat to containment lines, however, according to fire managers.

The Carousel at the Royal Gorge was destroyed in the fire. (Cañon City Daily Record)

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